Child exploitation takes on a new face now as more parent-managed social media accounts continue to put a price tag on their children’s privacy. Family vlogging accounts have become more popular than ever in the last half a decade, but it brings up ethical questions around monetizing the life of a child too young to consent to their digital footprint. Since the beginning of YouTube, family vlogging channels have been a cornerstone of the internet, for better or for worse, but have only gained mass …
‘Hunger Games’ prequel relights the franchise flame
Frances Lawrence’s latest addition to “The Hunger Games” franchise is reigniting passion amongst Hunger Games fans, and rightfully so. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was released on Nov 17, and since its release, it has received high praise from its fans. In this prequel to “The Hunger Games,” viewers are sent back 64 years before the events of the first book and can finally see Panem in the days before the Hunger Games and only 10 years after the “dark days” …
Friday the 13th brings bad luck and good deals
Friday the 13th has long been considered an ominous and spooky date, filled with anxieties about bad luck and misfortune. This superstitious paranoia, known as “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” is deeply rooted in history as old as time. As we approach spooky season, let’s get into the origins of Friday the 13th’s fascinating mix of myths, legends, and cultural beliefs. One theory traces the fear of this day back to ancient Norse mythology. In Norse folklore, it is believed that 12 gods were having a dinner party in …
Free concert series delivers all that jazz
Buzzing with life, students piled together into the west patio of the Center of Arts on Thursday, entranced by the musical stylings of PCC’s jazz and guitar ensemble. The ensemble is made up of both music majors and non-majors who have a passion for music and performing. These student ensembles give students the opportunity to perform in front of fellow peers on campus grounds every Tuesday and Thursday from 12-1 p.m. “We do these performances as a learning opportunity for the students to perform in …
‘The Nun II’ does little to justify why you should answer its prayers
The Nun II is the latest lackluster addition to the now ninth movie in the Conjuring franchise, making it part of the largest and most boring horror movie franchise to date. Continuing on where the first film left off, “The Nun II” is set five years after the events of “The Nun” and follows the life of Sister Irene, now living at a new convent, when she’s asked by the Vatican to investigate a string of demonic murders across Europe. The trail of bodies leads …
As vampire stories go, ‘Renfield’ kinda sucks
Chris Mckay’s modern day Dracula horror-comedy is one to be remembered, if not for the wonderful talent of the people in front of and behind the camera, then for its lackluster plot. What began as a wonderfully delightful movie filled with equal parts comedy and drama, ended in a less than satisfying way, leaving the audience wanting more from such a spectacular cast. Nicolas Cage delivers us a Dracula that far exceeded all expectations, a terrifying yet hilarious performance that undoubtedly became one of the …
Let’s Talk Episode 2: Philly contamination, LAUSD and Condoms
Published March 29: This week, David is joined by fellow staff writers Kat, Dante, and Michael, who go over water contamination in Philadelphia, the Montebello tornado, and the latest LAUSD strike.
Fentanyl crisis continues as PCC plays catch up
Since 2019, the United States has seen a massive influx in fentanyl overdoses resulting in rapid death rates with over 71,000 people dying from a synthetic opioid-related drug overdose in 2021, leaving questions about what PCC is doing to enforce harm reduction. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has become popular in the illegal drug market in the last half a decade due to its incredibly high potency and low cost, as well as its heroin-like effect. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 …
Fluffy communities gather around squishmallows
During the 2020 Covid lockdown the stuffed animals known as Squishmallows skyrocketed in sales, seemingly due to the social media app TikTok, with the hashtag “squishtok” currently having over 1.9 billion views and the subreddit r/squishmallow having over 88,000 members. Popular for their large selection of designs and squishy texture, Squishmallows have dominated the toy industry for the last three years, being the most popular toy brand in 21 out of 51 states in 2022 and winning Toy Association’s 2022 Toy of the Year award. …
Ultra-thin bodies are a trend again and the culture is just as toxic as ever
With Kim Kardashian, the undeniable “it girl” of this generation, losing an excessive amount of weight in a short period, and the sudden rise of low-waisted clothing, many people are questioning if ultra-thin is becoming the beauty standard once again. In the last year conversations such as buccal fat removal and celebrities using diabetes medication for weight loss have been plastered all over the internet, as well as articles such as “Bye-bye booty: Heroin chic is back” and “Could Thin Be in Again?” going viral …